As part of LEAF’s strategic plan, we are committed to building relationships and collaborations with BIPOC individuals and groups. This is just one action LEAF is taking to apply an anti-racism and anti-oppression lens to the organization and the work that we do. With funding support from Canada Healthy Communities Initiative, we were able to collaborate with 4 Directions to offer two full-day workshops focused on Indigenous Engagement and Awareness to our staff and a group of LEAF volunteers.
We had the pleasure of having Gary Pritchard and his team lead our two workshops. Gary is the Principal Indigenous Ecologist and Engagement Specialist at 4 Directions, and is an expert in facilitating collaborations between Indigenous communities and Western institutions. In a career spanning more than two decades, Gary has worked with nearly 300 Indigenous communities across Canada and Northern America.
In 2021 Gary founded 4 Directions as an entirely Indigenous owned and operated business. 4 Directions is a leader in conservation ecology, Indigenous engagement and place making in Ontario. Gary and his team build bridges between Indigenous communities and various levels of government, corporations and stakeholders. This involves both translating Western science so that it is useful and meaningful for Indigenous communities and translating Indigenous knowledge systems for effective relationship building.
This ability to facilitate program development amongst Indigenous communities and Western institutions has led to 4 Directions offering their services to a variety of industries including mine exploration and aggregates, transportation expansions and roadways, nuclear power, oil and gas pipelines, hydroelectric facilities and transmission lines.
A gifted storyteller, Gary is a strong believer that if people are given the opportunity to build a connection with nature, then they will make decisions based on the impact we have on the planet and on future generations to come.
Our first workshop took place in February 2024 in Toronto, where LEAF staff and approximately 10 volunteers met with Gary for a full day of learning. Topics included treaties in Canada, Indigenous Engagement, Truth and Reconciliation and more. Gary’s direct and humourous approach to teaching and storytelling resonated strongly with our participants.
In August 2024, LEAF staff had the privilege of visiting Hiawatha First Nation to spend the day with Gary and his team. A highlight of the day was visiting Serpent Mounds Park, where we discussed considerations for engaging with Indigenous People and how LEAF can actively contribute to the decolonization of our urban forestry systems.
Spending this time with Gary and his team had a powerful impact on the LEAF staff and reaffirmed our personal and collective commitment to this work. One staff member commented, “As an environmental organization, I think we have a responsibility and ability to enhance Indigenous stewardship of this land.” The lessons gained through these workshops will not only stay with each individual, but also inform the future of LEAF as we continue to work towards truth and reconciliation.
Brian Millward is the Community Programs Manager at LEAF.
Our heartfelt gratitude goes to the teams at 4 Directions Conservation, SpruceLab Inc. and Canada Healthy Communities Initiative for their time, effort and support in facilitating these workshop sessions. Learn more about our mission and commitment to reconciliation and anti-racism.